Magdeleine Vallieres will open her 2026 campaign on one of the sport’s biggest early-season stages, becoming the first reigning women’s world road race champion to start the Tour Down Under. The Canadian, who claimed the rainbow jersey in spectacular fashion with a late solo attack in Rwanda, headlines a startlist that already promises historic significance for Australian cycling fans.
Across three days from 17th to 19th January 2026, the race will run between Willunga Hill and Athelstone, using the most demanding route yet in TDU history. Vallieres lines up alongside defending champion Noemi Rüegg, giving EF Education-Oatly a formidable pairing as the Women’s WorldTour opener approaches.
Vallieres brings the rainbow jersey to Australia for the first time
The 24-year-old has never raced the TDU before and will make her third appearance in the rainbow stripes following late-season outings at the Giro dell’Emilia and Tre Valli Varesine. Her calendar typically starts in Europe, but the chance to debut her new colours in Adelaide was an easy decision.
“The first race of the season will be great to show the new kit early and kick things off on a positive note. I’m excited to race in the world champion jersey in front of the Australian crowd,” Vallieres said. “After the GC win last year, it would be nice to come back with the team and try to defend the title.”
While she arrives as world champion, she also arrives as a rider with deep stage-race experience across the Vuelta, Giro and Tour de France Femmes, as well as the northern and Italian Classics. Her versatility on punchy terrain should serve her well on a route featuring Willunga, the Corkscrew twice, and a brand-new finale.
Photo Credit: GettyRüegg returns as defending champion
Reigning TDU winner Noemi Rüegg is equally enthusiastic about returning to the race where she enjoyed the biggest breakthrough of her career. Her 2025 victory was built on a devastating attack up Willunga Hill on stage 2, a ride that set her up for a 13-second overall triumph.
“I’m excited to go back to Tour Down Under because it’s such a great race with a unique vibe,” she said. “It’s the first time in my career that I’m returning to defend a race like this, so having the number one on my back will feel meaningful.”
Rüegg’s 2025 season blossomed from there as she went on to podium at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Milan-San Remo Donne and Tre Valli Varesine, and added top 10s at Strade Bianche and the Swiss Championships. The confidence from that early success was obvious throughout the year.
A landmark edition for the women’s race
South Australia’s Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison, called the arrival of the rainbow jersey “a major statement for the event and the continued rise of women’s cycling”. With equal prize money, a tougher route, and the full roster of Women’s WorldTeams confirmed, 2026 represents a significant step forward.
The 395km route will be the longest in the race’s history and includes:
- new start locations in Willunga, Norwood and Magill
- two ascents of the Corkscrew
- a new one-day Barossa race
- all Women’s WorldTeams and all top-tier men’s teams present for the first time
Race director Stuart O’Grady called the Vallieres-Rüegg combination a “clear show of intent” from EF Education-Oatly. “The rainbow jersey is synonymous with cycling, so having Magdeleine start her season here is fantastic,” he said. “Seeing Noemi return to defend after her ride up Willunga last year will bring even more excitement.”
EF Education-Oatly aim to control the narrative
After stepping up to the Women’s WorldTour for 2026, the team could barely ask for better early visibility. Bringing the world champion and the defending TDU winner to the race is a statement of ambition, and both riders’ strengths on short climbs, technical finishes and high-pressure finales make the squad an early favourite to shape the event.
For Vallieres, it is a chance to debut the jersey in front of a massive crowd and test her early-season condition. For Rüegg, it is about proving that last year’s victory was not a one-off. For the race itself, it is a defining moment: the first time the women’s rainbow jersey will take the start line in Adelaide.
